Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Barnum Hall

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

1. Barnum Hall Marker

Inscription.
Built by Works Progress Administration, 1937

Erected 1937 by Works Progress Administration.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 34° 0.726′ N, 118° 29.197′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Olympic Boulevard near 4th Street. Located on the campus of Santa Monica High School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica CA 90401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to Historic Belmar Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Resurrection in Four Stanzas (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Neighborhood Erased (approx. 0.2 miles away); Learning in Black and White (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Spiritual Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); “No, No, No Jim Crow” (approx. 0.2 miles away); California Dreaming? / Belmar History+Art Historical Locations (approx. 0.2 miles away); Not on My Beach (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Monica.

Regarding Barnum Hall. The theater was one of three new buildings constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) at Santa Monica High School between 1935 and 1938 as part of the largest reconstruction project undertaken by the Santa Monica City School District following the devastating 1933 Long Beach earthquake.

“The high quality of design of the new auditorium building suggested not only the importance of this facility to the growing high school, but also the degree of civic pride associated with this new community amenity. Designed by noted Los Angeles architectural firm Marsh, Smith & Powell,

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

2. Barnum Hall Marker

Hidden behind landscaping next to a staircase.

it displays the smooth surfaces, curved corners and horizontal banding emblematic of buildings constructed under the auspices of the WPA. The building contains a 1,500-seat main auditorium space, as well as practice rooms for band and orchestra and two music classrooms. Known simply as ‘The Auditorium,’ it was designed to serve as Santa Monica’s municipal auditorium — hosting concerts, plays, musicals, opera and ballet, and other civic events — in addition to being used for high school functions. Thus, it was sited at what was then the northern edge of the campus for public accessibility.

“Additionally, the auditorium incorporates three integrated WPA art pieces. An 8×8-foot tile mosaic entitled ‘Landing of the Vikings in Vinland’ adorns the foyer, and a fire curtain mural entitled ‘Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla’ hangs above the stage. Both pieces were designed by internationally-known artist and Santa Monica resident Stanton Macdonald-Wright as part of a Federal Art Project under the WPA. The building’s façade displays a 4-by-3-foot cast-stone bas-relief entitled ‘Comedy, Tragedy, Music,’ depicting stylized Greek comedy and tragedy

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

3. Barnum Hall

masks and musical instruments. Designed by artist Olinka Hrdy, this piece was also created as a Federal Art Project. The auditorium opened in September 1938 and served as the city’s primary indoor gathering space until the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium opened in 1958. Upon its completion, it was considered one of the finest theaters of its time, and one of the best school auditoriums in the state. In 1944, it was renamed Barnum Hall, in memory of William F. Barnum, who served as principal from 1916 to 1943” (HRG Report, pp. 43-44).

Barnum Hall underwent an extensive renovation between 1999 and 2004, with funding from local and state bond measures and nearly 1 million dollars in donations from the community and alumni.
-from LivingNewDeal.org

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

4. Barnum Hall

“Comedy, Tragedy, Music” bas relief produced by Olinka Hrdy in 1937.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

5. Barnum Hall

The marker is at far left (not easy to see).

Tile Mosaic Mural in Lobby image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

6. Tile Mosaic Mural in Lobby

“Landing of the Vikings in Vinland” by artist Stanton Macdonald-Wright in 1939.

Stage Curtain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

7. Stage Curtain

“Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla” 1938 mural by Macdonald-Wright, on the asbestos stage curtain.

WPA Artist Drawings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

8. WPA Artist Drawings

A temporary display in the art gallery.

“The Viking” Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

9. “The Viking” Statue

By John Palo-Kangas, 1937.

“Senior Bench” image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

10. “Senior Bench”

WPA project, recently relocated and restored.

Mosaic Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 3, 2025

11. Mosaic Mural

Part of a 30-foot mural on the Senior Bench, completed in 1937 by Grace Clements.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on December 4, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.